Celebrity Big Brother has kicked off its 2025 series with an exciting mix of celebrities entering the iconic house, promising drama, camaraderie, and plenty of surprises. Hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the live launch on April 7, 2025, introduced 13 housemates, including notable names like Trisha Goddard, Mickey Rourke, and JoJo Siwa.
Chesney Hawkes, the first celebrity to enter, humorously introduced himself as "the one and only." The singer, best known for his hit song of the same name, revealed, "I am a little bit of a nudist," adding a cheeky twist to his entrance. As part of his introduction, he was tasked with saying his famous line to the next four contestants, earning points for each mention.
Second to enter was JoJo Siwa, a vibrant media personality with over 80 million followers across social platforms. Known for her colorful persona and her role on the reality show Dance Moms, JoJo declared, "The fans have dubbed me the CEO of gay pop, that’s me baby." She humorously acknowledged her potential to annoy housemates, stating, "When people first meet me, they’re like, who is this 21-year-old? Oh my god, she’s going to be so annoying. And then they get to know me, and they’re like, wait, this bitch is funny."
Trisha Goddard, the third contestant, made a poignant entrance, stating, "I’m doing this for 3.4 million people living with cancer and six million people living with chronic illness." Goddard, who has stage four metastatic breast cancer, emphasized the importance of living life fully, saying, "We can’t be so scared of dying that we are scared of living." Her presence in the house aims to inspire and raise awareness about living with chronic illness.
Next was Patsy Palmer, widely recognized for her role as Bianca Jackson on EastEnders. Palmer expressed her excitement about the experience, stating, "I love anything spiritual. I pray a lot, I like meditating. Maybe Big Brother is the biggest spiritual experience that anyone ever has."
Michael Fabricant, a former Conservative MP, entered next, met with a mix of boos and cheers. He humorously shared, "I used to be an MP until I got booted out at the last general election," and added, "I think many people think I’m gay; I’m not, actually, I’m bi." He was tasked with high-fiving the next contestants while saying "groovy baby," adding a light-hearted touch to his introduction.
Olympic champion Daley Thompson followed, sharing his uncertainty about the show: "I have absolutely no idea what I’ve signed up to, but I am looking forward to a bumpy but very happy ride." The retired decathlete, who won gold medals in both the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, is eager to connect with his fellow housemates.
Jack P. Shepherd, known for his long-standing role as David Platt on Coronation Street, was next to enter. He humorously warned, "I could almost guarantee I will be up for eviction in the first week because of my jokes." Shepherd has been a staple on the show for 25 years and is looking forward to the new experience.
Ella Rae Wise, a reality TV star from The Only Way Is Essex, was the eighth contestant to join. Describing herself as a "massive flirt," she expressed her excitement about meeting new people and experiencing life in the house.
Comedian Donna Preston followed, known for her roles in various TV shows, including Netflix’s The Sandman. She remarked on the social dynamics of the house, saying, "I think it will be a great way to observe people as an actor. If I find that something is getting to me, I’ll move myself away from the situation."
Angellica Bell, co-host of the Martin Lewis Money Show, entered next, sharing her excitement about the experience. "I’m beyond excited to be on the show," she said, looking forward to the challenges ahead.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard was the twelfth contestant, adding a vibrant flair to the mix. They expressed their enthusiasm for the show, stating, "I’m a huge fan of the Big Brother franchise, and I can’t wait to see how I fit in with everyone."
Finally, Mickey Rourke, the Oscar-nominated actor known for his roles in films like The Wrestler, entered the house. He admitted, "I have no clue about Big Brother; I thought it was the government." Rourke’s entrance was met with cheers, and he expressed his desire to have fun in the house, stating, "I don’t take orders very well, but if everybody is nice and respectful, we can have a good time."
As the contestants settle into the house, they will face various challenges and tasks set by Big Brother, aiming to build alliances and navigate the complex social dynamics that come with reality TV life. The first eviction is set to take place on Friday, adding a layer of tension and excitement as viewers tune in to see who will make it through the week.
Celebrity Big Brother 2025 promises drama, laughs, and heartfelt moments as these celebrities embark on their journey together. Fans can catch the show every night at 9 PM on ITV and ITVX, with a spin-off series titled Celebrity Big Brother: Late And Live airing on ITV2.
